Match Links

Hurricanes v Blues - Live

Last updated: 23rd February 2013

80 PENALTY, BLUES. The Blues aren't done yet as Weepu slots over a penalty in the dying seconds to run further salt into the Hurricanes' wounds. So the Blues open their 2013 campaign with a win! New coach Sir John Kirwan will be delighted. As for the 'Canes, it's back to the drawing board. Thanks for joining us folks!

77 CONVERSION, BLUES. This time Weepu adds the extras. The Hurricanes left with a mountain to climb now... 20-31!

76 TRY, BLUES. The Hurricanes suffer a blow as Conrad Smith makes his way off the pitch. He looks concussed. It gets even worse for the hosts as the Blues launch another attack that ends with Ranger firing out a pass to Halai who cuts inside and dives over for his second touchdown of the match. Game, set and match!

74 The Hurricanes need to score next - Vito comes close to scoring, but Halai saves the day for his team and rips the ball away.

72 Weepu has had a pretty poor night with the boot and fails to add the extras. 20-24!!!

71 TRY, BLUES. Some solid defence from the Hurricanes as the Blues go hunting for the five-pointer. Ranger has it, and burrows over... the ball is on the line, and the ref awards the try! A perfect way to celebrate his 50th Super Rugby game for the Blues as the visitors go back in front... again.

69 The Blues are back to 15 men and win another penalty at scrum-time. Noakes kicks an absolute beauty into the corner five metres out from the Canes line. The Blues need to make the most of their opportunity here...

65 PENALTY, BLUES. Now the Blues get a chance to close the gap with less than a quarter of the game remaining. Weepu takes his time and sends the ball between the uprights! It's game on folks! 20-19!

60 So the Blues are down to 14 men, but that doesn't stop Saili from busting up the middle as the centre sets off on another bulldozing run before the Hurricanes scramble and force a turnover.

55 PENALTY TRY, HURRICANES. Savea takes out wide, drops ball to boot and gives chase. It's a foot race between Savea and Halai before the two players dive for the ball. The ball, however, is slapped over the deadball line by Halai intentionally which could spell trouble for him and the Blues. The ref goes upstairs... and the TMO advises a penalty try and yellow card to Halai! Double blow for the Blues!

53 A dynamic carry off the back of the scrum from Shields has the Canes on the front foot and creates numbers on the outside...

50 Leiua breaks the advantage line before Savea loses the ball, sparking a counter-attack for the Blues. However, winger George Moala gets a poor pass at his feet and cannot hold on.

48 Weepu can't add the extras, but the Blues are back in front!

47 TRY, BLUES. 17 phases now and the ball gets spread wide. Ranger acts as a dummy runner, Francis Saili skips out to Piutau who runs in untouched for the Blues' second try of the night!

45 Now the Blues work their way back inside the Hurricanes half - the forwards and backs mixing things up as they build some momentum. After 15 phases, the Blues are camped on the Hurricanes line.

43 Tim Bateman and Andre Taylor combine to stop Ranger in his tracks, and in the process manage to win a relieving penalty after the Blues dangerman is blown up for not releasing. It gives Barrett a chance to clear his lines and he does just that.

42 Ali Williams taps it down for Weepu who fires his pass to Noakes and the Blues pivot exploits a gap and breaks through the middle. He passes to the supporting Ranger who turns on the gas. The Blues just 10m out!

Second half Welcome back! The Blues get the second forty started. Jeremy Thrush can't take it in though and the ball lands up in touch - not a good start by the 'Canes.

Half Time HURRICANES 13-11 BLUES

40 PENALTY, BLUES. The assistant ref has spotted something, and calls over Jackson. Looks like Jason Eaton was guilty of holding a player back without the ball. So the Blues get a penalty and a chance to close the gap on the stroke of half-time. Weepu steps up and strikes the ball well... over! So the teams head into the half-time sheds with this ball-game still anyones for the taking. See you in a few folks!

37 The Blues have had to do most of the tackling in the second quarter of this match, but Rene Ranger gets a chance to stretch his legs. He's flirting with the touchline though, and eventually gets shoved into touch.

34 Charles Piutau wants to counter-attack but runs straight into a yellow brick wall. Now he loses possession, but the Blues counter ruck and win it back - excellent work there by the Blues forwards.

31 That try has really lifted the Hurricanes who put several phases together with Vito leading the way before Smith breaks clear! He looks for support and finds Perenara, but the halfback has the ball ripped off him by a Blues defender.

28 CONVERSION, HURRICANES. Tricky attempt for Barrett from the touchline. But he's struck is superbly! 13-8

27 TRY, HURRICANES. Now the 'Canes look to threaten the Blues line. Shields takes and passes to Conrad Smith who draws his man before putting Savea over in the corner - try!

25 Andre Taylor gets his hands on the pigskin - he's had a quiet game thus far. But he makes the most of his opportunity with ball in hand and makes some valuable metres for his team. He gets hit hard though by Culum Retallick, but does well, to place the ball back for Perenara to continue the momentum.

23 The conversion from Weepu is... no good. But the Blues retake the lead. 6-8!

22 TRY, BLUES. The Hurricanes defence is stretched and the Blues take full advantage as winger Frank Halai slides over in the corner for the opening try of the match!

19 The home side forced to defend as the Blues look to hit back - preferably with a try. Luke Braid bursts into the Hurricanes' 22, but gets dragged down before he could get his pass away.

17 PENALTY, HURRICANES. Once again, the All Blacks back-up pivot raises the flags. Hurricanes take the lead! 6-3

16 Barrett hoists a high one for his wingers to chase. Alapati Leiua leaps, takes and then gets taken out in the air. Penalty to the Hurricanes - Barrett calls for his tee.

14 Now it's the Hurricanes turn to show what they can do with ball in hand. TJ Perenara puts in a grubber, but kicks the ball straight into a Blues player. Where's the ball? Dane Coles sees it, and regathers.

12 Weepu takes aim, but this time he can't find his target.

10 The Blues looking very threatening when in possession - the Hurricanes stray offsides, and it's picked up by referee Glen Jackson who awards the attacking team the penalty.

8 PENALTY, HURRICANES. The two packs engage, but the Blues front row gets blown up. Chance for the 'Canes to level the scores as Beauden Barrett lines it up. Over it goes! 3-3

6 The hosts manage to work their way towards the Blues tryline. Shields casme inches from scoring, but some brilliant defensive work from the visitors kept him out. Now Franks has a go, held up - 5m scrum to the Hurricanes.

4 PENALTY, BLUES. Solid scrum from the Blues, as Saili breaks off the back. He links with Weepu, who gets hauled in by a sea of yellow jerseys. Brad Shields gives away a penalty though bang in front of the Hurricanes' posts. Weepu will kick for goal... over it goes! First blood to the Blues. 0-34

3 Victor Vito takes at the back of the line-out for the Hurricanes. Now the backs have it, but not anymore after Julian Savea knocks on. So we'll have the first scrum of the match...

1 And we're under way! The 'Canes kick off, and it's Peter Saili who takes it in for the Blues. Piri Weepu fires the ball out to Chris Noakes and the pivot kicks for touch on halfway.

Team news There are four players in the Blues team that will be making their Super Rugby debut but Piri Weepu will win his 100th Super Rugby cap and Rene Ranger will play in his 50th Super Rugby match for the Auckland-based franchise. The Hurricanes on the other hand have a similar look to the team that played last year but with a few changes such as All Blacks prop Ben Franks coming in to the starting line-up.

Welcome Hello and welcome to Westpac Stadium in Wellington for this much anticipated Super Rugby opener between the Hurricanes and the Blues! The Hurricanes will hope to continue the good form they produced towards the back end of last year while the Blues have everything to gain in 2013 following the franchise's worst ever season.

Toulon's Leigh Halfpenny features for Wales on Friday night, but there is no place in the England team for club team-mate and European Player of the Year Steffon Armitage, due to England's selection policy.